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How to track and keep your money transfer safe

International money transfer tracking: learn how to track MoneyGram, Western Union, Walmart and other wire money transfers.

Some money transfers can take more than five days to reach your recipient. Many money transfer companies and banks offer end-to-end tracking so you can monitor the progress of your payments.

However, each company has a different procedure for tracking transfers. To help you understand the differences, here’s a look at how the major transfer companies track your money transfer.

How can I track my money transfer?

With most companies, you can track your transfer using the confirmation number on your receipt. You should be able to view the steps of your progress, from sending to receiving, either online or by contacting them over the telephone. A few transfer services also offer the option of text or email notification at each stage of your transaction.

In general, to track a money transfer:

  1. Complete your transfer. After sending a transfer, you can start tracking it.
  2. Check your receipt. Look for a reference, confirmation, order, transaction or similarly-named number.
  3. Contact the sending company. Call, go online or visit a physical location of the company you sent your transfer through and provide your tracking number.
  4. Sign up for notifications. When possible, opt in for notifications on each step of your transfer.

Track a Western Union transfer

Tracking a Western Union transfer requires an MTCN, which is Western Union’s tracking number. If you don’t know the MTCN, you still have options, but you’ll need to know:

  • Sender’s phone number OR both the sender and receiver names
  • Receiver’s country
  • Send amount OR receive amount
  • Date of transfer

Learn more about how Western Union tracking works or contact Western Union directly for further help.

Track a MoneyGram transfer

MoneyGram tracking is fairly straightforward. It requires your last name and the authorization or reference number.

  • Authorization number – This number is found in your confirmation email.
  • Reference number – This number is found in your email only after the money is ready for cash pickup.

Learn more about how MoneyGram tracking works or contact MoneyGram directly for further help.

Track a Ria money transfer

Ria tracking can be done through the mobile app, online or by contacting customer service on the phone. You’ll need to provide one of the following to track your money transfer:

  • Order number
  • PIN
  • Reference number

Learn more about how Ria tracking works or contact Ria directly for further help.
Sample tracking page for RIA.

Sample tracking page for Ria.

Track a Vigo money transfer

Because of Vigo’s partnership with Western Union, tracking money transfers on Vigo is very similar to the process of tracking money transfers on Western Union. Visit Western Union’s website, go to the “tracking transfer” section, enter the 10 digits of your MTCN and click “Track Transfer”.
Learn more about how Vigo tracking works or contact Vigo directly for further help.

Track a Walmart money transfer

In order to track Walmart-to-Walmart money transfers, you’ll just need to provide your transaction reference number. Learn more about how Walmart tracking works or contact Walmart directly for further help.

How do I find my tracking number?

Depending on the service you choose to transfer your money overseas — whether a bank or independent money transfer specialist — your transaction should come with a confirmation number or a record of your transaction.

Money tracking numbers come in many different names:

  • Authorization number
  • Reference number
  • MTCN (Money Transfer Control Number)
  • Order number
  • PIN
  • RTRN (Remittance Transaction Reference Number)
  • Confirmation number
  • …and more

Who is most likely to be researching how to track a money transfer?

Finder data suggests that men aged 25-34 are most likely to be researching this topic.

ResponseMale (%)Female (%)
65+3.55%2.44%
55-646.57%4.09%
45-548.85%5.67%
35-4414.03%9.43%
25-3416.67%9.50%
18-2412.35%6.86%
Source: Finder sample of 4,476 visitors using demographics data from Google Analytics

What to do if I don’t have a tracking number?

Transfers come in all shapes and sizes, and depending on what type of provider you use to send your money, you may or may not have a tracking number. Don’t worry — chances are you can still track your transfer even if you don’t have a tracking number. Here’s how:

Track bank wire transfers

Sending money internationally through your bank typically won’t generate a tracking number, as wire transfers are a bit different from money transfer services.

  • You’ll typically use a SWIFT code to track this transfer.
  • Call your bank’s customer service or contact your bank online.

Track using a tracking number

Check your receipt for a highlighted number that may be called a:

  • reference number
  • tracking number
  • confirmation number

Input this website on the transfer company’s website, give it to a customer service representative on the phone or provide it at an agent location to track your transfer.

Track without a tracking number

Some services, typically those that operate entirely online, require you to track through your order history instead of through a tracking number. To do so:

  1. Log in to your account
  2. Navigate to your order history
  3. Look for order details, including specific details on arrival time and any occurring delays.

How can I keep my international money transfer safe?

Sending money abroad can be risky if you don’t take the right precautions. Keep your international money transfers safe by only transferring money through licensed money transfer services. Ensure you have the correct details on hand before sending a transfer — and never send transfers to people you do not trust. This way, you’re less likely to fall prey to international money transfer scams. Lastly, always remember to keep your transfer reference number on hand so that you can track the progress of your transfers. If you notice anything suspicious, contact your provider immediately.

What happens if I entered the incorrect information for my transaction?

If you enter incorrect information for your money transfer, you typically have two options to consider: change the recipient’s information or cancel the money transfer.

Can I change my recipient’s information if I entered it incorrectly?

Unfortunately, you’ll find that changing your recipient’s name or address is trickier after you’ve initiated a transfer. But if you haven’t entered your recipient’s details correctly, they may not be able to receive their funds at all. If you’ve found an error with your recipient’s information, call, visit or live chat with your provider immediately.

Keep any confirmation number or receipt handy to help in pulling up your transfer. Your provider should be able to correct or modify your recipient’s details for you, even if it means adding a few more days to your delivery window as the system updates. If you’ve discovered the error outside business hours, try logging in to your account — you may be able to make the changes yourself if your transfer isn’t yet complete.

Can I cancel a money transfer?

Nearly all banks and money transfer providers offer some way of canceling your transaction after you’ve set it in motion — especially if your money hasn’t yet been delivered. If you need to cancel your transfer within 30 minutes, federal law guarantees a refund without penalty. Simply call or visit — in person or online — the provider you used to send your transfer. If you can log in to your online account, you may have the option of canceling there. If you initiated the transfer more than 30 minutes before, search your provider’s website for information on canceling or stopping a money transfer. Or call a representative to learn how you can start the process of halting your transaction.

If you’re able to cancel your money transfer, you should see a refund for the total you paid for it. In the rare case, a provider may deduct a cancellation fee from your refund — which might be another factor to weigh when choosing the company you ultimately go with.

If your transfer is not yet picked up or deposited into your recipient’s account, you may be able to log in to your account to cancel the transfer yourself. Otherwise, call, visit or live chat with your provider to discuss its refund process and how much you can expect to get back.

Frequently asked questions

Whether products shown are available to you is subject to individual provider sole approval and discretion in accordance with the eligibility criteria and T&Cs on the provider website.

Name Product USFMT Filter Values Fastest Transfer Speed Fees (Pay by Bank Transfer)
OFX International Money Transfers (Business)
24 hours
$0
Business customers: Send safe, no-limit transfers with no fees and competitive exchange rates.
Xe
Within minutes
From $0
Xe has fast transfers with low fees and a range of foreign currency tools.
MoneyGram
Within minutes
From $0
MoneyGram has fast cash pick-up transfers to more than 350,000 agent locations worldwide.
Instarem
24 hours
From 0%
New Instarem customers will get a special FX rate and zero-fees on their first transfer.
Instarem offers offers rewards on every transaction.
Xe Money Transfer for Business
24 hours
$0
Save your time and money with Xe Money Transfer for business.
Remitly
Within minutes
From $0
Remitly has quick, affordable transfers around the world, with both express and economy options.
CurrencyTransfer
24 hours
$0
CurrencyTransfer lets you shop around for the best exchange rate on its online marketplace.
WorldRemit - 4free
Within minutes
From $0.99
Use promo code 3FREE and pay no fees on your first 3 transfers. Conditions apply.
WorldRemit sends money to 110+ countries for bank-to-bank deposits, cash pick-ups or mobile top-ups.
OFX
24 hours
$0
OFX has no maximum limit transfers, with competitive exchange rates for 45+ currencies.
PayPal (business)
Within minutes
$0
Provides business solutions for small business owners in over 24 currencies worldwide. Try 3 months free of Spotify Premium when you sign up with PayPal.
Wise (TransferWise) International Money Transfers Business
Within minutes
From $8.16
Enjoy high maximum transfers into more than 40 currencies, while saving up to 90% over local banks.
Wise (TransferWise)
Within minutes
From 0.41%
Wise uses the mid-market rate and transparent fees to help you send money in 50+ currencies.
Wise (TransferWise)
Within minutes
From 0.41%
Wise uses the mid-market rate and transparent fees to help you send money in 50+ currencies.
CurrencyTransfer for Business
24 hours
$0
Increase business efficiency with zero transaction fees and same-day transfers.
WorldRemit
Within minutes
From $0.99
Use promo code 3FREE and pay no fees on your first 3 transfers. Conditions apply.
WorldRemit sends money to 110+ countries for bank-to-bank deposits, cash pick-ups or mobile top-ups.
CurrencyFair
24 hours
€3
CurrencyFair has bank-beating exchange rates and fast transfer times on 15+ popular currencies.
OFX
24 hours
$0
OFX has no maximum limit transfers, with competitive exchange rates for 45+ currencies.
CurrencyFair
24 hours
€3
CurrencyFair has bank-beating exchange rates and fast transfer times on 15+ popular currencies.
Remitly
Within minutes
From $0
Special offers like free transfers and better exchange rates available for new customers.
Remitly has quick, affordable transfers around the world, with both express and economy options.
Remitly
Within minutes
From $0
Special offers like free transfers and better exchange rates available for new customers.
Remitly has quick, affordable transfers around the world, with both express and economy options.
Remitly
Within minutes
From $0
Special offers like free transfers and better exchange rates available for new customers.
Remitly has quick, affordable transfers around the world, with both express and economy options.
PayPal
Within minutes
From $0
Use PayPal to safely send money and receive payments from around the world in over 25 currencies with just an email address or mobile number. Try 3 months free of Spotify Premium when you sign up with PayPal.
Xe
Within minutes
$3
Xe has fast transfers with low fees and a range of foreign currency tools.
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Zak Killermann's headshot
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Publisher

Zak Killermann was a technical publisher at Finder who specialized in currencies and investing. Zak’s expertise was in breaking down technical finance concepts into approachable, digestible nuggets of information. See full bio

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15 Responses

    Default Gravatar
    JamesMay 14, 2019

    Someone wants to send Money to me from Taiwan through Western Union. Can she send out the Money to me in Indonesia without changing the currency?

      AvatarFinder
      JoshuaMay 15, 2019Finder

      Hi James,

      Thanks for getting in touch with Finder. I hope all is well with you. 😃

      Normally, when you use Western Union, it would automatically convert the money to the local currency. For this reason, it might be difficult to receive the money in its original currency.

      I hope this helps. Should you have further questions, please don’t hesitate to reach us out again.

      Have a wonderful day!

      Cheers,
      Joshua

    Default Gravatar
    SainiApril 24, 2019

    I want to know about the money came from us bank through hdfc bank

    Still i couldn’t get the money…the us bank already transferred the money

      Default Gravatar
      nikkiangcoApril 24, 2019

      Hi Saini,

      Thanks for getting in touch with Finder! I’m sorry to hear you haven’t received your money from your sender. I suggest getting in contact with the sender and confirm if the transfer was successful. If this was an international money transfer, take note of how long the process takes between your bank and the sender’s bank. Hope this helps!

      Best,
      Nikki

    Default Gravatar
    SarumiMarch 22, 2019

    A transaction was made to me in Nigeria by a friend of mine in the state but he said he as never receive any email that the transaction went successful,is the transaction go and will take him to like how many mins or hours before he got a mail that his transaction was successfully ,how will I know if the money was transfer to my account

      AvatarFinder
      johnbasanesMarch 22, 2019Finder

      Hi Sarumi,

      Thank you for reaching out to Finder.

      Generally, if a transaction is made online it should only take a couple of minutes for it to be successful. Your friend may need to contact the company they sent the money through to check what needs to be done just in case there was a delay. They should also be receiving an MTC or a tracking number to easily track and check the status of the transfer. Hope this helps!

      Cheers,
      Reggie

    AvatarFinder
    JeniMarch 4, 2019Finder

    Hi Pau,

    Thank you for getting in touch with Finder.

    If that is a bank-to-bank transfer, then a wire transfer can take from one to three business days, with delays over weekends or holidays.

    I hope this helps.

    Thank you and have a wonderful day!

    Cheers,
    Jeni

    Default Gravatar
    olaFebruary 8, 2019

    I want my money sent to me in Nigeria from overseas through transfer

      AvatarFinder
      ValFebruary 16, 2019Finder

      Hi Ola,

      Thank you for your inquiry. The money transfer services we have listed onsite are secured. For you to have peace of mind, once the transaction has been made, make sure to always get a confirmation number or a transaction number in order for you to track on the status of the money.

      Hope this helps.

      Regards,
      Val

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